Methods and systems for earth drilling

4. The machine as recited in claim 3, wherein the tool further comprises a plurality of engagement elements which are configured to engage an outer circumference of the protective cap.

7. The drilling plant as recited in claim 5, wherein the storage area comprises a magazine for holding a plurality of protective caps.

8. The drilling plant as recited in claim 7, wherein the machine is further operable to at least one of retrieve the protective cap from the magazine without human intervention and to place the protective cap in the magazine without human intervention.

10. The drilling plant as recited in claim 9, wherein the first section and the second section each further comprise a protrusion, a depression, a slot or a groove.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of operating the machine so as to place the protective cap in the storage area further comprises placing the protective cap in a magazine in the storage area.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the step of operating the machine to pick up the protective cap from the storage area comprises picking up the protective cap from a magazine in the storage area.